Laboratory Evaluation of Serum TSH Levels in Neonates Born in Tertiary Care Hospital of Northern India

To study the serum levels of Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) in neonates. Also to assess the sex differences in thyroid function and to compare our results to previously published reference data.

TSH was estimated in 91 neonates using enhanced Chemiluminescence technique using vitros ECi-Ortho Clinical Diagnostics.

Although the mean serum levels of TSH were higher in females, no significant differences were observed in serum TSH between males and females.

The study underlines the importance of new born screening for thyroid dysfunction. Due to high reported prevalence of congenital Hypothyroidism (CH) in our country and the lack of international standardization, performing multi-central studies with more population helps in making a more precise evaluation of thyroid status in neonates. Frequent laboratory monitoring in infancy is essential to ensure optimal neurocognitive outcome. Serum TSH and free T4 should be measured every 1–2 months in the first 6 months of life and every 3–4 months thereafter. In general, the prognosis of infants detected by screening and started on treatment early is excellent.